Paeschke did not lose her mother. Madonna Teachout, 62, has waged a successful battle against breast cancer, undergoing a mastectomy and radiation treatments. She will have reconstructive surgery in December and is considered cancer-free.

"They tell me there is a 97 percent chance I won't get that cancer again," the retired Pinckney resident said.

In honor of her mother, Paeschke came up with an idea to help other survivors of breast cancer during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Paeschke is a hair stylist at Breezy's Salon, 8012 W. Grand River Ave. in Genoa Township near Brighton, where the stylists and nail technician are offering free cuts and services to cancer survivors and cancer patients.

Many cancer patients have no money for salon appointments because of medical bills, and some have even lost their jobs, Paeschke said.

"When you talk to (cancer survivors), you just feel like you have to do something, and it's what I would want done for my own mom," she said. "If they are feeling better on the inside, they should look good on the outside, too."

Because she did not have to undergo chemotherapy, Teachout said she did not lose her hair.

That was not the case for Nancy Enright of Howell, a breast cancer survivor who learned about Paeschke's offer via Facebook.

Enright was seated in Paeschke's chair at Breezy's last week for her first salon cut and style since losing her hair to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. December, she said, will mark five years since her cancer diagnosis.

"Your hair is a part of you. To finally get some hair and get it styled ... I'm excited," Enright said.

"What Ginger is doing is absolutely amazing," she added. "Once you become a survivor, you start a new chapter in your cancer story. So to be pampered as a survivor is a wonderful thing."

Bre Wallace is the owner of Breezy's, which opened about a month ago. Paeschke's idea to help cancer survivors "is a great thing to do," Wallace said.

Paeschke said she loves listening to cancer survivors who tell their stories.

"Every time someone sits down and says, 'I'm a five-year survivor' … well, my mom is going to be a five-year survivor someday," she said. "I had a lady here the other day who was a 20-year survivor. That's awesome."

For more information or to make an appointment at Breezy's Salon, call 810-522-5045 or check out its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/breezyssalon.